The search for a new Head Coach for the Parkland Midget Rangers is officially over.
Arnie Caplan will take over the reigns as the bench boss beginning this upcoming season, and will bring over 20 years of coaching experience to the Parkland.
"It's definitely exciting to be a part of the Ranger family," said Caplan. "Midget is an exciting brand of hockey, and the players are looking to go somewhere. The Rangers have been around a long time, and they've produced a lot of really good players."
Arnie is originally from Winnipeg, and he's well known around the hockey community in Manitoba and has made a stop in Alberta as well. He's coached with the following teams.
- Head Coach of the Lundar Falcons.
- Assistant Coach of the Winnipeg Thrashers, and Winnipeg Monarchs.
- Head Coach of the Portage College Voyageurs for two seasons. (ACAC)
- Head Coach & GM of the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.
The Rangers are coming off a season in which they missed the playoffs, and will be looking to get back near the top in the upcoming season with some very talented young prospects, and players who could make a name for themselves early in their Midget careers.
"I think we have to look at what we have available because it's sometimes hard to know what 16 and 17-year-olds will be available because of junior possibilities," Caplan added. "We want the kids that are available to come and play for us if they're at this level."
"Our goal is to be able to compete with the top teams in the league on a nightly basis," he said.
Caplan will enjoy the rest of the summer off with his family, before getting back at it as the Rangers will hold a tryout camp on August 25-26 at Credit Union Place. This tryout camp is open to any midget-aged player in the Parkland that would be interested in playing on the team.
"I'm all about what a player can bring to the team because the individual game doesn't work anymore," said Caplan. "We want to see what kind of team we can build here, and we want you to come out if you're interested."
As the season inches closer, Arnie also has a few words for the Parkland.
"I hope that the community and region will support the team," said Caplan. "It's an exciting program that's been around for a long time, and there are some great people around it. We want to run as professional a program as we can."
"We want as much support from the community as we can get," he added.
Caplan takes over for Brad Dupasquier who is now with Central Plains.
AUDIO: Arnie Caplan.